Check out the Nearby Long Island Tourist Attractions

12 Things to Love About Long Island

Take a look at 12 exceptional varieties of Long Island tourist attractions and find out why Long Island is a celebrated destination.

1. The Hamptons

The perfect destination for a day trip, the Hamptons–made up of several villages including Westhampton Beach, Amagansett, East Hampton, Southampton and Bridgehampton–lets visitors feel like a local with quaint shops, cafés and restaurants. For celebrity sightings, East Hampton is where many of the rich and famous have homes.

2. Kid-Friendly Attractions

There are many kid-friendly places that are both fun and educational. Plan an outing to a museum, nature preserve, aquarium or amusement park.

3. Huntington Village

Explore the cultural treasure chest of Huntington Village, a quaint downtown area near the Huntington Harbor. Its Main Street is lined with unique shops and restaurants that evoke the rich heritage of the town. Spend a day exploring galleries and museums, and then stay for a night at the theater.

4. Walt Whitman Historic Site

The birthplace of America's greatest poets, the Walt Whitman Historic Site features the small farmhouse–a prime example of native Long Island craftsmanship–where the "Poet of Democracy" was born in 1819. Take a step back in time and go on a guided tour, visit the museum shop and bookstore or attend a special lecture, concert or poetry reading.

5. Institutions of Higher Education

Long Island's excellent universities and colleges allow locals to stay close to home to pursue their educational goals while attracting students from around the country and the world to study here.

6. Concert Venues

Whether you enjoy classical music, folk, rock or hip-hop, you can find it at one of Long Island's concert venues. These indoor and outdoor venues range from very large, such as the Nassau Coliseum, to more intimate spaces, including the Jeanne Rimsky Theater in Port Washington.

7. Fire Island

A quick ferry ride from mainland Long Island, Fire Island lets you get away from it all without a long travel. Once on the island, you can walk or bike from place to place.

8. Great Public Golf Courses

If you're into golf, Long Island is the place to play. There are many municipal golf courses around the Island so you don't have to worry about joining a club or paying exorbitant fees. Check out the Black Course at Bethpage State Park, two-time site of USGA Open Championship.

9. Long Island Wineries

Take a tour of Long Island Wine Country located on the East End. Most of the wineries are on the North Fork, but a few are on the South Fork. Take a tour of the vineyards and enjoy samples while learning about the process of winemaking.

10. Botanical Gardens and Arboretums

Stroll through one of these beautifully landscaped botanical gardens on a sunny afternoon. Many couples use these gardens as a backdrop for wedding ceremonies or photographs. In addition, several of these gardens host concerts, tours, classes and other events.

11. Pick Your Own Fruit

A fun activity for the entire family, picking fruit at several of Long Island's working farms is available many months of the year. Pick your own strawberries from the end of spring through early summer, or go apple picking from mid-summer through the end of October. October is also the month for visiting a pumpkin patch.

12. New York City

Long Island is a wonderful place to visit when you want to be near New York City but don't want to stay there. Take a train to Penn Station and you will be in Midtown Manhattan. Walk or take a subway to the greatest museums in the world, dine at some of the finest restaurants or take a stroll through Central Park.